Positioning and retaining device system for logs in a high capacity sawmill employing a horizontal traversing bandsaw adjustably mounted over the log being sawed



March 26, 1968 c. E. MCMANAMA 3,374,812

POSITIONING AND RETAINING DEVICE SYSTEM FOR LOGS IN A HIGH CAPACITYSAWMILL EMPLOYING A HORIZONTAL TRAVERSING BANDSAW ADJUSTABLY MOUNTEDOVER THE LOG BEING SAWED Filed June 26, 1964 2 Sheets-Shet 1 WMWWM WW IH". "u

March 26, 1968 c, E MCMANAMA 3,374,812

POSITIONING AND RETAINING OEvIc-E SYSTEM FOR LOGS IN A HIGH CAPACITYSAWMILL EMPLOYING A HORIZONTAL TRAVERSING BANDSAW ADJUSTABLY MOUNTEDOVER THE LOG BEING SAWED Filed June 26, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORCharles E. Mc Manama United States Patent 3,374,812 POSITIONING ANDRETAINING DEVICE SYSTEM FOR LOGS IN A HIGH CAPACITY SAWMILL EM- PLOYIN GA HORIZONTAL TRAVERSING BAND- SAW ADIUSTABLY MOUNTED OVER THE LOG BEINGSAWED Charles E. McManama, Rte. 2, Box 81, Potlatch, Idaho 83855 FiledJune 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,118 2 Claims. (Cl. 14319) This devicecompares in function to the log carriage of the conventional typesawmill having a traversing log carriage. Its function it to providemeans of support to the log while being sawed, and to provide means offastening the log in sawing position.

However, there are differences which make this device in its functionquite unique, Aforesaid means of support is a powerable reversible rollcase instead of headblocks. Aforesaid fastening means instead of beingsetting dogs is two or more pairs of jaws forming vise like structureswhich rise from properly spaced positions between the supporting rollswithin the roll case, and are extend-able and retractable above saidrolls in unison with each other.

Such described means of log support is able to propel any log or can-tthereon in either lineal direction by control, facilitating selectivechanneling of gangsaw cants to a gangsaw and of other heavy timbers totheir respective dock. Considering also the lateral direction of lumberfrom the machine, there is a three directional flow of lumber and cantsfrom the machinesomething that does not readily lend itself to otherdesigns. This factor is the primary object and value of the invention.

This aforementioned lateral direction of lumber flow from the logcarriage can be received by a conventional lateral conveyor chain at theside of the roll case. Likewise, a lateral conveyor chain at theopposite side of the roll case can deliver logs. There are other commonmeans that could be used, and the form thereof is not respective to theinvention.

In regard to aforesaid fastening means, the vise like jaws, comprisingin effect a log vise, hold the log in sawing position, counteract thesaw thrust, and open equally to the left and to the right-automaticallycentering the log in the saw throat for maximum utility of the sawthroat. These jaws are extendable above the rolls far enough toaccommodate the largest logs, but an interconnected safety controlprevents them from being extended into the path of the saw. Sharpenedupper edges of the jaws firmly grip a round log, While the insidesurfaces of the jaws are square and smooth to accommodate squared cants.Also these jaws when elevated and released from the log would assist alog turning device, of which suitable kinds are in common use.

This device is illustrated further in the accompanying drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a sectional side view intersecting the lineal center of themachine, except parts 4, 8, 9, 10, 14, and 18 illustrated in surfaceView.

FIGURE 2 is a top view.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional end view intersecting a log vise unit which isillustrated in surface view along with a portion of its supportingstandard for clarity.

In greater detail, FIGURE 1 shows: the far guide rail of pairedtraversing bandsaw guide rails 2, the elevating mechanisms K (shown ascommonly known jackscrew type devices) and guide posts 3, at each end ofeach guide rail, which vertically guide and adjustably support thebandsaw and guide rails over the log 4 in a manner that accurate lumbermay be sawed therefrom. Illustrated further, log 4 is supported by rolls5 which have an 3,374,812 Patented Mar. 26, 1968 adequately tractionizedsurface and are reversibly powerable in a synchronized manner by wormdrive mechanism units 18, and are mounted in an integrating framework 6supported upon framework 7. The log positioning jaws 8 and 9 (in pair)are rigidly and adjustably supported upon hydraulically elevatedstandards 10 which are mounted in cylinder wells 11 shown rigidlyencased in concrete. Also shown are the individual powering units 18 toopen and close each pair of jaws, the guiding tongue and groove 13 attheir adjoining faces which keeps them in alignment with each other, andthe clevice shaped guide 14 on the supporting standard which keeps bothjaws in rigid alignment to it. FIGURE 2 shows the top view of thepowerable rollers 5, guide rails 2, and log vise jaws 8 and 9, and theirrelative positions. FIGURE 3 shows the end view, which is more detailed:centered gear pinion which opens and closes jaws 8 and 9 by action upongear racks 15 and 16, sharpened edges 17 upon the jaws which engage theround of the log before it is squared, and control switch 19 whichprevents the jaws from being elevated into the path of the saw, and isactivated by engagement of guide rail 2 upon its contact surface.

FIGURES 2 and 3 show comparison views. FIGURE 3 also shows lowerportions of the bandsaw pulleys X, lower portions of the bandsawsupporting structure with guide rail shoes 12, and the bandsaw blade Zintersecting log 4.

Due to the nature of the invention, description in certain detailsnecessarily for purposes of presentation involves specific forms. Theseforms are not intended to be restrictive of any other forms wherein thespirit of the invention may also exist.

Having hereby described my invention which I wish to protect by LettersPatent, I make the following claims of invention.

1. In a sawmill having a horizontal bandsaw which traverses in sawingupon paired side rails which straddle a log, a mechanism to adjustablysupport said rails as desired to saw dimensions of lumber from said log,and a log carriage to support the log; a log carriage comprisingpowerable and reversible rolls in a roll case aligned beneath and withsaid rails, and a number of log engaging vises having paired laterallyopening jaws extending upward through the roll case between the rolls atappropriate intervals beneath and between said rails, a means in eachsaid vise operating the jaws thereof so the log will be held in acentered position under the saw, and a means to raise and lower saidvises from their positions between the rolls.

2. In a mechanism as set forth in claim 1, a safety control means whichautomatically prevents the jaws from being extended into the path of thesaw, comprising an activating contact respective to said jaws andaforesaid rails, and means to lower said jaws actuated by control fromthe said activating contact so the jaws are retained below the path ofthe traversing saw.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 683,590 10/1901 BroWer 14347927,248 7/ 1909 Kennedy 143-l9 1,001,272 8/1911 Howard 143-17 FOREIGNPATENTS 190,264 6/1957 Austria. 954,899 1/ 1960 France.

20,134 6/1914 Great Britain. of 1913 DONALD R. SCHRAN, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A SAWMILL HAVING A HORIZONTAL BANDSAW WHICH TRAVERSES IN SAWING UPON PAIRED SIDE RAILS WHICH STRADDLE A LOG, A MECHANISM TO ADJUSTABLY SUPPORT SAID RAILS AS DESIRED TO SAW DIMENSIONS OF LUMBER FROM SAID LOG, AND A LOG CARRIAGE TO SUPPORT THE LOG; A LOG CARRIAGE COMPRISING POWERABLE AND REVERSIBLE ROLLS IN A ROLL CASE ALIGNED BENEATH AND WITH SAID RAILS, AND A NUMBER OF LOG ENGAGING VISES HAVING PAIRED LATERALLY OPENING JAWS EXTENDING UPWARD THROUGH THE ROLL CASE BETWEEN THE ROLLS AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS BENEATH AND BETWEEN SAID RAILS, A MEANS IN EACH SAID VISE OPERATING THE JAWS THEREOF SO THE LOG WILL BE HELD IN A CENTERED POSITION UNDER THE SAW, AND A MEANS TO RAISE AND LOWER SAID VISES FROM THEIR POSITIONS BETWEEN THE ROLLS. 